Grade level enclosures for underground utility connections

ABSTRACT

A grade level box for use with underground utilities connections having vertical walls reinforced with exterior vertical and horizontal ribs integrally molded with the wall structure.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority to Provisional Application No.60/659,846, filed Mar. 9, 2005, the entire disclosure of which isincorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to enclosures for buried and undergroundelectrical transmission lines and related electrical devices andcontacts. The invention includes a grade level box closed by a splitcover plate assembly. A pedestal housing adapted for connection to thesplit cover plate provides an above-ground distribution enclosurecontaining interconnect hardware for making electrical connections tothe transmission lines and/or devices contained in the grade level box.

BACKGROUND

Various electrical transmission lines and other equipment used forburied and underground utilities are commonly contained in enclosuresthat protect the underground wiring cables, fiber taps and splices,service lines, etc. from the environment. Initial construction oftenrequires installation of such a below-ground enclosure, commonlyreferred to as a grade level box. At a later date, if service is to beprovided to the premises, the cover for the grade level box is removedand connections are made inside an above-ground pedestal housing mountedon the grade level box. The above-ground connections are protected fromthe weather but also must be protected from vandalism and tampering.There is also a need to provide a pedestal housing assembly that can bereadily installed and opened to facilitate further connections and/orservice with minimal time and labor costs.

The present invention is applicable to any system for storing andprotecting underground or buried electrical conductors and devices fromthe environment and for facilitating access to them when making furtherconnections, providing service, making new installations, and the like.The invention is applicable to electrical utilities connections normallyusing buried or underground lines or connections such as cable TV, datatransmission lines, various types of telecommunications, optical fiberconnections, commonly referred to as “fiber to the premises,” servicelines, water meters, electrical power distribution, and other utilitiesequipment, for example.

One embodiment of the invention provides an optical fiber distributionand vault system for making service connections to optical fibercontacts initially contained in a grade level box. A multi-purpose coverassembly for the grade level box is adapted to accommodate a laterinstalled pedestal housing which is used to bring the fiber taps andsplices above ground.

The present invention provides an improved enclosure system thatsimplifies transition from initial installation to providing service tothe premises, including (1) installation of a pedestal housing, (2)opening the pedestal housing for servicing the connections, or (3)providing an upgrade in service by replacing an existing pedestalhousing. The invention, when compared with prior enclosure systems,reduces the parts required for making the transition, avoids discardingparts, and reduces time and labor costs in making new installations orchanges to existing installations.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Briefly, one embodiment of the invention comprises a grade level box forunderground utilities connections, comprising a substantially verticalwall structure extending continuously around an open region within thewall structure. The wall structure is made of a molded polymericmaterial and includes a vertically and horizontally extending supportinggrid structure made of the molded polymeric material and integrallymolded to an outer face of the vertical wall structure. The gridstructure comprises horizontally spaced apart vertical ribs extendingcontinuously from a lower to an upper portion of the vertical wallstructure, and vertically spaced apart horizontal ribs extendingcontinuously around the vertical wall structure. The vertical ribsenhance compression strength of the wall structure and the horizontalribs provide improved resistance to side wall deflection under loadbearing conditions.

These and other aspects of the invention will be more fully understoodby referring to the following detailed description and the accompanyingdrawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view, partly broken away, showing oneembodiment of an underground electrical utilities enclosure anddistribution assembly according to principles of this invention.

FIG. 2 is a top plan view showing a split cover pedestal mountingsection containing a plug.

FIG. 3 is a top plan view similar to FIG. 2 but showing the plugremoved.

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view showing another embodimentcomprising a grade level box, a split cover and a removable plug.

FIG. 4A is a cross-sectional view illustrating compression load bearingcapacity provided by the grade level box.

FIGS. 4B and 4C are cross-sectional views illustrating alternativeembodiments of a polymer-concrete ring and cover plate for use insidewalk applications.

FIG. 5 is a side elevational view of a plug for the split cover.

FIG. 6 is a side elevational view taken on line 6-6 of FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a bottom elevational view taken on line 7-7 of FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is an exploded view showing a split cover, a collar, an uprightutility conduit connection frame and locking device, and a pedestalhousing cover for the assembly shown in FIG. 9.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing an assembled combination of a gradelevel box, a collar mounted on a split cover, and a pedestal housingcover.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing an assembled form of anotheralternative form of the invention comprising an integral plug base andcollar and a removable pedestal housing cover.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing the integral plug base and collarassembly of FIG. 10.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 illustrates one embodiment of a pedestal housing assemblyaccording to principles of this invention. The assembly includes anunderground vault 12, also referred to as a grade level box. The gradelevel box is generally rectangular in configuration, having elongatedparallel side walls 14 and shorter parallel end walls 16. The side andend walls are tapered narrower in an upward direction to enclose ahollow interior region within the box. The box is preferably made ofhard plastic from a plastic molding process. The grade level box has anopen bottom and an open top 18. In use, the grade level box is placedbelow ground level to contain underground electrical connections such asutility cables or conduits, data transmission lines, service lines,optical fiber cables and other underground utility devices, lines, orcables. These are referred to generally herein as electrical utilityconnections. The electrical connections go into the hollow interior ofthe grade level box through the bottom opening of the box. In use, thebox is placed in the ground so its top is generally parallel with theground level. The grade level box has a rim 20 spaced below the topopening 18 and the rim extends around the inside walls of the box tosupport a split cover plate.

The split cover plate is mounted to the open top of the box to cover theinterior of the box. The split cover encompasses the entire exposed areaat the top of the box to protect the interior of the box from theenvironment. The split cover is preferably in two side-by-side partsmade of hard molded plastic, each generally in the shape of a flatnarrow rigid panel or plate. The split cover comprises a pedestalsection 22, which covers preferably more than half of the top opening ofthe box, and a cooperating cover section 24, which covers the remainingportion of the top opening in the box.

The two sections 22 and 24 of the split cover are supported on the rim20 when the two part cover is positioned in the top opening of the box.The two cover sections are releasably interlocked along cooperatingshoulders 26 and 28 on adjacent facing sides of the sections 22 and 24,forming a split that extends across the width of the two-part cover.

The pedestal section 22 of the split cover mounts a pedestal housingassembly 30. The pedestal housing protects the underground electricalutility connections when they are brought above ground for connecting toservice lines from the customer, for example. The pedestal housingincludes an upright pedestal cover 32 formed by a thin-walled housingstructure having a hollow interior 34 with a closed top end 36 and anopen bottom that communicates with the interior of the grade level boxduring use. (Communication is through an access opening in the pedestalsection 32 described below.) The pedestal cover is preferably made ofthin molded plastic and, in the illustrated embodiment, is of generallyrectangular cross section although other cross sectional profiles may beused. The base of the pedestal cover is mounted over an access opening38 (see FIG. 3) in the pedestal section 22 of the split cover.

Various mounting devices for making the electrical connections arecontained within the pedestal cover 32. These can include a universalmounting plate 40, fiber splice mounting bars, terminal blocks, supportblocks and the like. The universal mounting plate 40 may be rigidlyaffixed to an inverted U-shaped metal frame 42 (shown best at 42 in FIG.8).

The inverted U-shaped frame 42 also may support a lock 44 (see FIG. 8)contained inside the pedestal cover. An outwardly projecting molded locksection 46 of the pedestal cover encloses the lock 44 when the pedestalcover is mounted in its fixed position over the U-shaped frame 42 andaffixed to the pedestal section 22 of the split cover as shown in FIG.1.

A locking device (not shown) having a key-operated latch (not shown) isaffixed to the inside of the lock section 46 of the pedestal cover. Whenthe pedestal cover slides down over the U-shaped frame 42, the interiorlocking device 44 engages the latch and automatically locks the pedestalcover 32 to the cover plate 22 when the pedestal cover reaches its fixedposition. A key-operated lock 48 is located in the lock section 46 ofthe pedestal cover. A proprietary key (not shown) can be used to actuatethe lock 48 to unlock the latch from contact with the interior lock 44in order to remove the pedestal cover from the U-shaped frame 42.

FIGS. 1 through 3 illustrate one embodiment of a means for mounting thepedestal housing assembly to the pedestal section 22 of the split coverplate. In this embodiment, the pedestal section 22 contains the accessopening 38, also referred to as a plug opening. The opening 38 has aprofile that matches the configuration of the opening at the bottom ofthe pedestal cover 32.

FIG. 2 shows the split cover plate 22 in a use position for covering theaccess opening 38 in the pedestal section 22. The pedestal section 22and the adjacent cover section 24 of the split cover each have atraction surface 50. In this embodiment, a removable plug 52 is disposedin the access opening 38 in the pedestal section 22 of the split cover.The top surface of the plug 52 has a traction surface at ground levelgenerally in the same plane as the tractioned top surfaces of the splitcover sections 22 and 24. This provides a continuous top surface atground level for the grade level box prior to installation of thepedestal housing. When the pedestal housing is to be installed in thepedestal section 22 of the split cover, the plug 52 is removed from theaccess opening 38 to provide access between the electrical utilityconnections in the grade level box and contacts to be mounted within thepedestal housing.

The plug comprises a thin flat plate made of hard molded plastic. Theouter edge of the plug has a complex profile that matches theconfiguration of both the access opening 38 and the configuration at thebottom opening of the pedestal cover 32.

The plug 52 has a generally rectangular configuration with roundedcorners. Opposite ends of the plug have outwardly projecting profiledsections which are shaped differently from each other.

One end 54 of the plug has a narrow generally rectangularly shapedprojection 56. This portion of the plug is shaped to generally match theconfiguration of an upright channel 67 (see FIG. 1) molded into a sideof the pedestal cover 30 to accommodate one side leg of the U-shapedmounting frame when the cover fits over the frame. The other end 58 ofthe plug has a projecting section of more complex configuration whichincludes a generally rectangularly shaped shallow projection 60 centeredin a wider and shallow projecting section 62 on opposite sides of theprojection 60. The end 64 of the projection 60 is spaced from the end 58of the plug by a distance substantially equal to the distance betweenthe end 66 of the projection 56 and the end 54 of the plug. The complexprofile of the projecting regions 60 and 62 is shaped to generally matchthe configuration of a complex channel molded into a side of thepedestal cover 30 to accommodate an opposite side of the U-shaped frame42 when the cover fits over the frame. In this instance, the widenedprojecting section 62 accommodates the lock mechanism 44 mounted to oneside of the U-shaped frame 42. The narrower section 62 is shaped tomatch the configuration of the upright channel 67 molded into a side ofthe pedestal cover to accommodate the other side of the U-shaped frame.

When placing the pedestal cover over the U-shaped mounting frame, thematching profiles on opposite sides of the pedestal cover are alignedwith their respective profiles at the access opening 38 in the pedestalsection 22. The pedestal cover then can slide down over the U-shapedframe and interconnect at the bottom with the profiled access opening.

FIG. 3 shows the pedestal section 22 with the plug 52 removed from theaccess opening 38. This view illustrates a rim 68 of complex profilewhich extends around the inside of the plug opening 38 to provide ameans of support for the plug 52 when the plug is removably mounted inthe opening 38. This rim also supports the bottom of the pedestal coverwhen the cover is positioned in the access opening 38. As shown best inFIG. 3, the notched regions at opposite ends of the access opening 38match the configurations of the projecting regions at theircorresponding end portions of the access opening 38.

FIGS. 2 and 3 also show fastener openings 70 adjacent projecting endportions of the plug. These can be used in one embodiment of thepedestal in which the bottoms of the U-shaped frame 42 have metal feet(not shown) that fasten to the underside of the pedestal cover section22. In this instance, fasteners (not shown) extend through the openings70 for securing the feet to the cover section. The legs on oppositesides of the U-frame are contained within notched regions 72 and 74 onopposite sides of the plug opening 38.

In use, the embodiment of FIGS. 1 through 3 can normally be assembledwith the split covers at ground level covering the top opening of thegrade level box. Fasteners (not shown) located in openings 76 at thecorners of the split cover plates can be used to secure the cover platesagainst tampering or vandalism. These fasteners may extend throughcooperating locking shoulders formed in the corners inside the gradelevel box.

The split cover plate provides sufficient rigidity to accommodate foottraffic at ground level when the top of the box is closed by the splitcover plates and the plug. When service is to be provided by installingthe pedestal housing, the split cover plate section 24 is removed byloosening the fasteners at the corner of the cover plate to gain accessto the interior of the grade level box. This also provides a means forgaining access to any connectors at the base of the plug that hold theplug in place in the access opening of the pedestal section 22. Removingthe plug provides access to the grade level box (through the accessopening 38) for the pedestal housing. The pedestal section 22 of thecover plate can be removed and the U-shaped frame can be affixed to thecover plate. Connections can be made to the various connection deviceson the universal frame or other connecting means contained in thepedestal housing. Once the connections are made, the pedestal cover ispositioned over the opening 38 in the cover plate 22. Placing thepedestal cover over the U-shaped frame and sliding it downwardlyautomatically engages the locking devices to lock the pedestal cover inplace. The cover plate 24 at the other side of the box then can beplaced back in its position on top of the opening in the grade level boxand fastened in place with the fasteners which (in the embodiment ofFIG. 1) are located at the corners of the cover plate.

FIGS. 4 through 9 illustrate an alternative form of the invention. FIG.4 is an exploded perspective view illustrating an alternative embodimentof the grade level box, together with the split cover plates and a plugthat covers the opening in one cover plate prior to installation of thepedestal housing assembly. FIGS. 5 through 7 illustrate details of theplug which is similar to the plug shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. FIG. 8 is anexploded perspective view illustrating component parts of an alternativeembodiment of the pedestal housing assembly. FIG. 9 is a perspectiveview illustrating the pedestal housing in its assembled form installedon the split cover plate atop the grade level box.

FIG. 4 illustrates an alternative grade level box 80 having a pair oflong parallel side walls 82 and a pair of shorter end walls 84, forminga generally rectangular structure having a hollow interior. The gradelevel box has an open bottom and an open top 86 for receiving the splitcover. In this embodiment the grade level box has vertically disposedside walls and vertically disposed end walls, forming top and bottomopenings enclosing substantially the same area. The box is made of hardmolded plastic and is molded in halves, split along its longitudalcenter axis into two parts, forming a seam 88 at each end. The twohalves are rigidly fastened together along the seams at each end byfasteners 90 extending through upright flanges 92 which face each otheralong each seam. The grade level box also has a molded integrally formedgrid structure facing outwardly along each side wall. The grid structureis formed by long horizontal flanges 94 and vertical uprights 96 formingare essentially rectangular array. The horizontal flanges wrap aroundthe ends of the box at 98. This construction of the grade level boxprovides good compressive strength to resist vertical loads on the wallsof the box. The load resistance has been shown to far exceed the loadresistance of a box having tapered end walls and side walls such as thebox 12 shown in FIG. 1.

The interior of the grade level box includes narrow elongated recessedslots 100 extending parallel to the top edge of the box. The slots areformed generally along a central region of each side wall and each endwall. The slots are spaced below a rim 102 which extends around the topedge of the box. The slots are used for interlocking with a cover platelocking device 104 (described in more detail below) when the coverplates 22 and 24 are positioned atop the box. The pedestal section 22 ofthe cover plate has an outwardly projecting rim 106 which rests on therim 102 of the grade level box when the cover plate section 22 ismounted to the top of the box. The adjacent cover plate section 24 hasan outwardly projecting rim 108 which rests on the remaining portion ofthe rim 102 when the cover plate section 24 is positioned in the openingof the box adjacent the pedestal section 22. The interior of the boxalso includes a separate flat angled supporting flange 110 in eachcorner. The flanges are used to support the bottom edges of the splitcover plate sections 22 and 24 when the cover plates are installed inthe opening of the box.

As shown in FIG. 4, the grade level box has a recessed rim 99 extendingaround the inside of the box for use in supporting a bottom edge of thecover plate, similar to the rim 20 of the enclosure shown in FIG. 1. Theside walls 82 and walls 84 extend continuously vertically from thebottom to the top of the grade level box. The integrally molded verticalribs 96 also extend continuously from bottom to top of the box. Thecontinuous vertical rib design and continuous wall structure increasesthe enclosure's compressive strength and load bearing capacity. Thehorizontal flanges 94 provide lateral support for the walls and thevertical ribs which increases resistance to deflection of the box sidewalls during use. As shown in FIG. 4A, during use, the cover plate restson the rim 99 that spans inside of the box. The vertical side walls 82and 84 supported by the integrally molded rib structure provide theeffect of an I-beam that supports the weight of the cover plate for thefull vertical height of the enclosure side walls.

FIGS. 4B and 4C illustrate alternative uses of the grade level box. Inthese instances, the grade level box is used in sidewalk applicationswhich can require high load bearing capacities. FIG. 4B shows oneembodiment of a sidewalk application using a polymer-concrete ring 103that encircles the outer periphery of the grade level box. The ring hasan inner section 105 that rests on an upper horizontal section 94 a ofthe grade level box. This portion of the ring can be profiled tointerlock with the vertical ribs in this area of the box. The rest ofthe ring spans the area above and around the box. An interior opening inthe ring seats a polymer-concrete cover 107 having an outer sectionprofiled to rest on the upper edge 102 of the box. The assembly ispositioned below ground for receiving and supporting the utilityconnections as described herein. The box can be positioned below groundin an opening below a sidewalk 109 with the upper surface of the coverand ring being aligned with the level of the sidewalk.

FIG. 4C illustrates another alternative use for sidewalk applications inwhich a polymer concrete ring 103 a encircles the upper portion of thegrade level box and rests on the top edge 102 of the box. The top of thering 103 a has an outwardly projecting flanged section 105 a that restson the top edge 102 of the box. A downwardly projecting recess in a ringsection 107 a of the ring 103 rests on the upper surface of the insiderim 99 of the grade level box. The upper interior region of the openingin the ring is recessed at 109 a to receive a polymer-concrete coverplate 111. The cover plate can be continuous with the open area withinthe ring or it can be a split cover plate as described herein.

The grade level box embodiments of this invention as mentioned providehigh static vertical load bearing capacities. In one embodiment, thepolymer-concrete cover and ring provide sidewalk/driveway static loadbearing capacities of 20,000 pounds; the split plastic cover plateembodiment in combination with grade level box provides static loadcapacities of 8,000 pounds; and a solid one-piece plastic cover plateused with the grade level box has a static load bearing capacity of10,000 pounds.

FIGS. 4 through 7 illustrate detailed construction of the plug 52. Eachprojecting end section of the plug has connecting devices for mountingthe plug in the access opening 38 without separate fasteners. The plugmounts in a friction fit in which the connectors releasably snap lockinto opposite sides of the access opening 38. The projecting end section56 has a downwardly extending bendable clip 112 with an outwardly facingdetent 114 at the bottom of the clip. On the opposite side of the plugthe projecting end section 62 has a similar downwardly extendingbendable clip 116 with an outwardly facing detent 118 at the bottom ofthe clip.

FIGS. 5, 6 and 7 illustrate the plug which is disposed in the opening 38of the cover plate section 22. The bendable clips at both ends bendinwardly so the detents can slide past and snap-lock into lockedpositions on bottom edge portions 120 of the plug opening. A bottom edge122 of the plug rests on the rim 68 that spans the bottom inside of theplug opening. When the plug 52 is snap-locked into its fixed position inthe pedestal section 22 of the cover plate, the plug cannot be removedfrom the plug opening by above-ground access. Access is provided byeither removing the cover plate section 24 or removing the pedestalsection 22 of the split cover plate.

FIG. 8 shows a pedestal housing assembly that mounts to the pedestalsection 22 of the cover plate shown in the embodiment of FIG. 4. Thepedestal housing assembly includes a generally rectangular collar 124made of hard molded plastic and shaped to fit around the access opening38 when the collar is positioned to rest on a peripheral section 126 ofthe cover plate top surface. The collar has a generally rectangularinterior opening 128 that substantially matches the configuration of theaccess opening 38 when the collar rests atop the plate section 22. Thecollar supports the pre-assembled U-shaped mounting frame 42. The bottomlegs of the U-shaped frame are rigidly affixed to recessed insideportions of the collar opening. One side 130 of the collar opening isconfigured to match the configuration of the notched portion 74 of thecover plate opening 38. The other side 132 of the collar opening isconfigured to match the configuration of the notched portion 72 of thecover plate opening. FIG. 8 shows the bottom legs of the U-shaped framedisposed in these notched regions of the collar inside wall.

The collar 124 also includes an inwardly projecting rim 134 that seatsthe bottom of the pedestal cover 32 when the cover slides over theU-shaped frame 42 and into the collar opening. The collar furtherincludes separate downwardly projecting bendable clips 136 each with abottom end detent 138 similar to the clips on the plug 52. Thesebendable clips are each integrally formed with and project downwardlyfrom a central portion of each side of the collar, the separate clipsfacing outwardly from the bottom sides of the collar.

In use, the collar is positioned on the top surface region 126 of thecover section 122 to force the detent portions 138 of the clips 136 intoan interlocking engagement under the rim 124 at the base of the opening38. The clips or other connectors can be of various configurations andlocated in different positions on the collar for use in snap locking thecollar into a fixed position on the cover plate 22. The connectorsreleasably fasten to the cover plate in a friction fit without the needfor separate fasteners. The clips 136 can be configured to position thecollar and the U-frame 42 over the cover plate section 22 in thealignment shown in FIG. 8, or alternatively, the clips 132 can bearranged on the base of the collar so as to engage the notched portions72 and 74 at opposite ends of the cover plate section 22 in an alignmentrotated 90° (clockwise) with respect to the positioning shown in FIG. 8.

With the collar 124 positioned on the plate section 22, access isprovided to the interior of the grade level box through the opening 128in the collar and the aligned opening 38 in the cover plate section 22.Access also can be provided by removing the adjacent section 24 of thesplit cover plate. Once the electrical connections are made between theunderground electrical cables service lines, etc. and contacts mountedon the universal mounting plate 40, for example, the pedestal cover 32then can slide downwardly over the U-frame 42. The pedestal cover 32 ispositioned over the U-frame in the alignment shown in FIG. 8 so that theoutwardly projecting sections 46 and 67 of the pedestal cover can slidearound the lock 44 and the legs of the U-frame. Lower base regions 140on opposite sides of the pedestal cover are configured to match thenotched regions 130 and 132 of the collar opening, so that when thepedestal cover slides to its locked position, the base regions 140 ofthe pedestal cover are interlocked with the inside notched portions ofthe collar. This secures the pedestal cover to the collar. The latchportion of the key carried on the inside of the pedestal cover engagesthe lock 44 when the pedestal cover slides down over the U-frame. Thisautomatically locks the pedestal cover against removal when the pedestalcover reaches its fixed position in the collar. The opposite legs of theU-frame 42 are disposed in the projecting portions 67 of the pedestalcover when the cover is in its locked position. A special key (notshown) then can be used to remove the cover 32 by actuating the lock 48on the pedestal cover.

FIG. 9 shows the assembled position of the pedestal cover and collar onthe split cover plates mounted to the grade level box.

FIGS. 10 and 11 show another embodiment of the invention in which acollar and pedestal cover housing are mounted to a generally rectangularbase 142 configured for removable mounting in the opening 38 of thesplit cover plate section 22. In this embodiment the base 142 is made ofhard molded plastic and configured similar to the plug 52. The base hasa flat upper surface with outwardly projecting end sections 144 and 146with bendable clips. The projecting end sections match the configurationof the notched regions 72 and 74 at opposite ends of the opening 38 inthe pedestal section 22.

The base 142 includes an integrally molded collar 148 projectingupwardly from the top surface of the base 142. The collar is a thin wallstructure of any desired configuration. In the illustrated embodimentthe configuration is oval in shape. The collar spans the peripheralportion of an opening of matching configuration in the base, for accessto the interior of the grade level box during use. The collar has arecessed rim 150 extending around its outer circumference below an ovalshaped upper section 152 of reduced size. The opposite inside walls ofthe upper section 152 have molded channel sections 154 that openupwardly along a top edge 156 of the upper collar section. These channelsections provide rigid support for an inverted U-shaped frame 158 whichextends above the collar 148. The bottom portions of the U-frame 158slide into the channels 154 and each rests against a separate shoulder160 at the bottom of each channel section. The collar also includes amolded recessed structure 162 that provides one portion of a lock thatengages a corresponding portion of a lock affixed to the inside of apedestal cover 164 that slides down over the collar upper portion 152during use.

In using the pedestal assembly mounting base 142, the plug-shaped base142 is disposed in the access opening of the pedestal section of thesplit cover plate. The clips on the projecting end sections 144 and 146are snap-locked into place in the notched ends of the cover plateopening to affix the base 142 so its top surface is continuous with thecover plate sections on the grade level box. The split cover plate onthe other side of the grade level box can be removed to provide accessto the electrical cable and service lines below ground to draw themupwardly into the interior of the collar. The U-frame 158 is attached tothe collar to provide a means of mounting connections inside thepedestal assembly. When the connections are completed the oval shapedpedestal cover 164 slides down over the U-shaped frame and into contactwith the rim 150 that extends around the collar. A lock carried on theinside of the pedestal cover can snap lock into locking engagement withthe lock carried on the U-frame.

The split cover plates are preferably locked and unlocked by a one-piecelocking device 104 in the form of an “L-bolt.” This locking device isdescribed in more detail below. In use, the cover plates are assembledon the top of the grade level box by placing the cover section 24 on oneside of the box and locking the L-bolt at the end of the plate section(see FIG. 4). The L-bolt on the plate section is rotated to an unlockedposition and then rotated to its locked position to move a right-angleleg at the bottom of the bolt into one of the slotted openings 100 inthe box. The pedestal mounting section 22 is then placed on top of thebox (interlocking the shoulders 26 and 28) and the L-bolts at the frontcorners of plate section 22 are locked to the slotted openings in thesides of the box. The end portion of the plate section 22 remote fromthe L-bolts may contain a molded hinge to interlock with an adjacentslotted opening or it may contain another L-bolt.

In one embodiment, the L-bolt locking assembly is used for locking a lidto a hollow enclosure in which the enclosure has a locking surface on aninside wall of the enclosure. The locking assembly is disposed in andlocated adjacent an edge of the lid for cooperating with the lockingsurface inside the enclosure. The locking assembly includes an L-boltrotatably disposed in the lid, the L-bolt rotatable between an unlockedposition and a locked position, the L-bolt extending through a passagein the lid and having (1) a locking projection located on an undersideof the lid and (2) a position adjusting device exposed to the uppersurface of the lid. The locking assembly further includes a lockingpiece that fits into the passage around the L-bolt to prevent removal ofthe L-bolt from the lid, once the L-bolt is positioned in the lid. TheL-bolt in its unlocked position allows the lid to fit into a closedposition on the enclosure. The L-bolt is rotatable to its lockedposition by rotating the position adjusting device atop the L-bolt tothereby rotate the L-bolt, and therefore the locking projection, underthe locking surface inside the enclosure so that the locking projectioncan prevent removal of the lid from the enclosure.

In another embodiment, the L-bolt locking system is used for closing andlocking a lid on an enclosure such as a grade level enclosure. Thelocking system includes a latch formed on an edge of a lid of theenclosure. The latch includes a bolt recess on an upper face of the lidwhich opens into a slotted wall structure that forms a passage below thelid. The bolt recess has a slotted opening which receives an L-bolt thatextends down into a hollow interior of the slotted wall structure. Aright angle leg on the L-bolt protrudes below the slotted wall structurewhen a fastener head atop the L-bolt rests in the bolt recess. Thefastener head of the bolt in its at-rest position in the bolt recessprovides a means of access for use in rotating the L-bolt (and its rightangle leg) with a tool that fits into the bolt recess to engage thefastener head. With the right angle leg of the L-bolt rotated to anaxially aligned position, a separate locking piece is driven into theinterior of the slotted wall structure from beneath the lid during theassembly process. The L-bolt can be rotated to rotate the right angleleg to an open position so the lid can be closed on the enclosure. TheL-bolt can be rotated back to a position in which it locks the lid tothe enclosure. The bottom leg of the L-bolt, when rotated to its lockedposition, protrudes under a locking surface inside the enclosure. Thisreleasably locks the lid to the enclosure. The locking piece insertedinto the slotted wall structure beneath the lid holds the L-bolt inplace and prevents its removal from the bolt recess.

For initial installations (without the pedestal) the plug 52 can beinserted into the opening 38 in plate section 22 to provide a flat topsurface at ground level. The plug is positioned in the locked splitcover plate without the need for extraneous fasteners or lockingdevices.

When opening the grade level box, either side of the split plate can beunlocked and removed to gain access to the fastener clips on theunderside of the plug. With the plug removed, the pedestal housingassemblies (described above) can be positioned in the cover platesection 22, electrical connections can be made and the pedestal coverlocked in place when connections are completed. No fasteners or otherparts are required to mount the pedestal contact support structure inthe access opening or to connect the pedestal cover over the uprightsupport structure.

1. A grade level box for underground utilities connections comprising: asubstantially vertical wall structure extending continuously around anopen interior region within the wall structure, the wall structure madeof a molded polymeric material, a vertically and horizontally extendingsupporting grid structure made of a molded polymeric material andintegrally molded to an outer face of the vertical wall structure, thegrid structure comprising horizontally spaced apart vertical ribsextending continuously from a lower to an upper portion of the verticalwall structure, and vertically spaced apart horizontal ribs extendingcontinuously around the vertical wall structure, including aconcrete-containing ring adapted to be supported on an upper edge of thevertical wall structure of the grade level box, the ring having aninterior opening adapted for alignment with the open interior regionwithin the grade level box, in which an inside section of the ring isprofiled to support a cover which optionally can be made from aconcrete-containing material.
 2. An underground utilities enclosure anddistribution assembly comprising: a grade level box adapted forinstallation below ground and having an upper opening facing an interiorregion for containing a below-ground electrical utility cable, aremovable cover plate adapted for mounting to the opening in the gradelevel box to close off at least a portion of the interior region thereoffrom the environment, the cover plate comprising a pedestal mountingsection; and a pedestal housing adapted for attachment to the pedestalmounting section and providing above-ground access to the interiorregion of the grade level box, the grade level box comprising asubstantially vertical wall structure extending continuously around theinterior region within the wall structure, the wall structure made of amolded polymeric material, and a vertically and horizontally extendingsupporting grid structure made of a molded polymeric material andintegrally molded to an outer face of the vertical wall structure, thegrid structure comprising horizontally spaced apart vertical ribsextending continuously from a lower to an upper portion of the verticalwall structure, and vertically spaced apart horizontal ribs extendingcontinuously around the vertical wall structure.
 3. Apparatus accordingto claim 2 including a recessed rim projecting into and around theinterior region of the box and formed above an inside portion of thevertical wall structure, so that the cover plate resting on the rim issupported by the vertical wall structure.
 4. Apparatus according toclaim 2, in which the wall structure is split into at least two parts toform a seam, and including upright abutting flanges integrally molded tothe wall structure along the seam, and fastening means extending throughthe abutting flanges for securing opposite sides of the wall structuretogether as a rigid unit.
 5. Apparatus according to claim 4, in whichthe wall structure is split longitudinally into two parts to formvertical seams along each end of the wall structure, and in which saidabutting flanges are formed along each vertical seam.
 6. An undergroundutilities enclosure and distribution assembly comprising: a grade levelbox adapted for installation below ground and having an upper openingfacing an interior region for containing a below-ground electricalutility cable, a removable cover plate adapted for mounting to theopening in the grade level box to close off at least a portion of theinterior region thereof from the environment, the cover plate comprisinga pedestal mounting section; and a pedestal housing adapted forattachment to the pedestal mounting section and providing above-groundaccess to the interior region of the grade level box, the grade levelbox comprising a substantially vertical wall structure extendingcontinuously around the interior region within the wall structure, thewall structure made of a molded polymeric material, and a vertically andhorizontally extending supporting grid structure made of a moldedpolymeric material and integrally molded to an outer face of thevertical wall structure, the grid structure comprising horizontallyspaced apart vertical ribs extending continuously from a lower to anupper portion of the vertical wall structure, and vertically spacedapart horizontal ribs extending continuously around the vertical wallstructure, and a recessed rim projecting into and around the interiorregion of the box and formed above an inside portion of the verticalwall structure, so that the cover plate resting on the rim is supportedby the vertical wall structure, in which the upper opening of the boxfaces the interior region, and in which the removable cover plate forsaid upper opening rests on the rim and is supported by the verticalwall structure.
 7. Apparatus according to claim 6, in which the box hasa bottom opening for receiving a below-ground electrical utility cablewithin the interior region of the box.
 8. Apparatus according to claim7, in which the box is positioned in an opening in the ground, in whicha below-ground electrical utility cable is contained within the interiorregion of the grade level box, and in which the cover plate ispositioned in substantial alignment with ground level.
 9. An undergroundutility enclosure assembly comprising: a grade level box forinstallation below ground with an opening facing an interior region forcontaining a below-ground electrical utility cable, a removable coverplate for mounting over the opening in the grade level box to close offat least a portion of the interior region thereof from the environment,the grade level box comprising a substantially vertical wall structureextending continuously around an open region within the wall structure,the wall structure made of a molded polymeric material, and a verticallyand horizontally extending supporting grid structure made of a moldedpolymeric material and integrally molded to an outer face of thevertical wall structure, the grid structure comprising horizontallyspaced apart vertical ribs extending continuously from a lower to anupper portion of the vertical wall structure, the vertically spacedapart horizontal ribs extending continuously around the vertical wallstructure, the grade level box having an upper edge extending generallyhorizontally around an upper portion of the box, the upper edgeintegrally molded to and supported by the vertical wall structure, and abottom opening in the grade level box for receiving a below-groundelectrical utility cable within the interior region of the box, thecover plate having an outer portion adapted for contacting the upperedge of the grade level box so that the cover plate outer portionresting on said upper edge is supported substantially continuouslyaround the grade level box by the vertical wall structure.
 10. Apparatusaccording to claim 9 including a concrete-containing ring adapted to besupported on the upper edge of the grade level box, the ring having aninterior opening adapted for alignment with the open interior regionwithin the grade level box.
 11. Apparatus according to claim 10, inwhich an inside section of the ring is profiled to support a cover whichoptionally can be made from a concrete-containing material. 12.Apparatus according to claim 9, in which the wall structure is splitinto at least two parts to form a seam, and including upright abuttingflanges integrally molded to the wall structure along the seam, andfastening means extending through the abutting flanges for securingopposite sides of the wall structure together as a rigid unit. 13.Apparatus according to claim 12, in which the wall structure is splitlongitudinally into two parts to form vertical seams along each end ofthe wall structure, and in which said abutting flanges are formed alongeach vertical seam.
 14. Apparatus according to claim 9, in which the boxis positioned in an opening in the ground, in which a below-groundelectrical utility cable is contained within the interior region of thegrade level box, and in which the cover plate is positioned insubstantial alignment with ground level.